Contact: Kristyn Souder Communications Director Email:
[email protected] Phone: (267)536-9566 PRESS RELEASE Zenkaikon Convention to Bring Anime and Science Fiction Fans to Lancaster in March Hatboro, PA – January 21, 2013: On March 22-24, 2013, Zenkaikon will hold its seventh annual convention in a new location at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The convention expects to welcome over two thousand fans of Japanese animation (anime), comics (manga), gaming, and science fiction to downtown Lancaster for the weekend-long event. Zenkaikon had typically been held in the Valley Forge area of Pennsylvania. However, with the conversion of the Valley Forge Convention Center to a casino and the continued growth of the event, Zenkaikon moved its convention to Lancaster. Many convention attendees don costumes of their favorite characters to attend the annual convention. Planned convention events include a variety of educational panels and workshops hosted by volunteers and guests; anime and live action screenings; a costume and skit competition (the "Masquerade"); a hall costume contest; performances by musical guests; a live action role play ("LARP") event; video game tournaments and tabletop gaming; a formal ball and informal dances; and an exhibit hall of anime-themed merchandise and handmade creations from artists. A number of Guests of Honor have already been announced for Zenkaikon 2013. John de Lancie, best known for his roles on Star Trek and Stargate SG-1, and more recently known for his role as Discord on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, will be hosting panels and meeting attendees. Prolific voice and live action actor Richard Epcar (Ghost in the Shell, The Legend of Korra, Kingdom Hearts) and actress Ellyn Stern (Robotech, Gundam Unicorn, Bleach) will also be participating in a variety of programming.